Belgian biotech startup AmphiStar Amphistar, a pioneer in sustainable surfactant products, has received a €2 million non-dilutive grant from SPRIN-D (Federal Agency for Disruptive Innovation). This brings the total funding the Belgian innovator secured this year to €10 million. 

AmphiStar’s biotechnology platform leverages synthetic biology to create designer molecules that meet specific performance needs. These tailor-made biosurfactants, produced from organic waste- and side streams, not only offer a sustainable alternative to mainstream chemically produced surfactants (fossil- and biobased) and other commercial microbial biosurfactants but also unlock new possibilities for innovation in the cleaning, cosmetics, and personal care industries.

The grant is part of a highly competitive multi-stage funding programme backed by the German government and will support the continued development of AmphiStar’s advanced biotechnology platform. 

Following a rigorous selection process, AmphiStar emerged as one of only six teams to pass to the programme’s second round, which supports disruptive innovation in the biotechnology sector. 

The company previously secured €1.5 million in the programme’s initial phase last year and is now competing for an additional €2 million in the final round of funding, to be awarded next year to two top-performing teams.

“This grant will enable us to push forward our most ambitious innovation goals,” said Pierre-Franck Valentin, CEO of AmphiStar. 

“With the freedom that non-dilutive funding provides, we can continue to develop and refine our bespoke, sustainable surfactants that meet the growing demand for high-performance, eco-friendly solutions in personal- and home care. 

This support reinforces the German government’s recognition of our breakthrough technology and its potential to revolutionise the industry.”

“What sets our technology apart is its ability to generate novel, high-performing molecules while keeping sustainability at its core,” said Sophie Roelants, Co-founder and COO of AmphiStar. 

“This grant enables us to concentrate on developing entirely new, promising molecules at low technology readiness levels (TRL), all produced from waste through a continuous biomanufacturing process. 

Our goal is to reduce costs and enhance sustainability, while maintaining functionality, aligning perfectly with our mission to replace traditional surfactants with environmentally responsible, bio-based alternatives — without compromising on quality or affordability.”

During the first year of the SPRIN-D programme, the AmphiStar team successfully performed a continuous biomanufacturing process for 75 days —15 days longer than the 60 days anticipated by SPRIN-D — using only waste materials to produce a completely novel and promising biosurfactant molecule.

Continuous biomanufacturing is crucial for reducing the costs of novel and sustainable biochemicals, allowing them to penetrate markets driven by functionality and cost considerations.